The Cervical Decompression Neck Fixer, a new product from Bodyline Comfort Systems, is an inflatable unit that provides graduated decompression. Inflation is accomplished by air pressure. The unit is made up of three bellows (circular air cushions) that surround the neck with an air bulb pump that has a screw cap closure and rubber air-hose lines. The bellows are made of a silk-like material with a velour-type surface to reduce skin chaffing. It weighs only 3/4 of a pound and it is 100% portable. This portability feature makes it easy to use for the office or the home.

The Fixer applies a comfortable stretch on the cervical spine. The comfort allows patients to withstand a greater amount of decompression. The more decompression administered can mean a reduction in the amount of time that decompression needs to be applied to a patient. As little as 10 minutes of time can produce an improved outcome for certain cases.

Patient Control

The reason that it is extremely comfortable is because the force that is applied to the surface of the head is evenly distributed to all areas of the head. The head contact with the Fixer is almost like laying your head on a pillow. A neck-traction device should not place too much pressure on one or more parts of the head, such as the TMJ, ears, condyles, or occiput, because uneven force may create so much discomfort that enough distraction may not be able to be applied to get results.

As is the case with other decompression devices, the Fixer allows patients to have complete control of their treatment by providing an air bulb that the patient controls.

The Cervical Decompression Neck Fixer allows patients to have complete control of their treatment by providing an air bulb that the patient controls.

The Pressure Is Off

Due to the increased comfort, the amount of decompressive force can be increased dramatically to improve results. Intervertebral disks have a positive internal pressure anywhere from 10 to 35 pounds and structurally consist of an annulus fibrosis surrounding a nucleus pulposis.

At times of stressful motion of the body, the nucleus pulposis can break through a few of the concentric fibers of the annulus and cause a posterior bulge of the more distal unbroken annulus fibers that subsequently can then press on spinal nerve roots. This is why decompression is so valuable.

By taking significant pressure off the intervertebral disks, it can reduce the pressure within the disks to start a lessening of the bulges and protrusions that may be pressing or pinching on the spinal nerve roots. This will help to eradicate an array of symptoms that doctors of chiropractic deal with every day, such as neck pain; limitation of neck rotation; neck, shoulder, and arm pain; and cervico-brachial neuritis.

With continued use, the Fixer can also help widen degenerated disk spaces. As is already known, intervertebral disks have no direct blood supply and receive their nutrition by imbibition. By using decompression on and off, it produces a pumping action that can assist new cartilaginous growth of cells in the intervertebral disks. By increasing the height of the disk space, it can not only improve pain and other symptoms, it can increase the flexibility of the cervical spine. This can be especially helpful to middle-aged and senior-citizen patients who have probable increased compression in the neck area.

Cervical decompression is not recommended for treatment of recent acute injuries such as sprains or strains, severe torticollis, or acute neck pain. Efforts must be made to reduce the large amount of inflammation that accompanies these conditions. After several days of treatment with ice, interferential, cold laser, and other such treatment to reduce the inflammation, decompression can gradually be applied. Using decompression for 8 to 10 minutes and gradually working up to 20 to 30 minutes during several weeks of treatment would be a reasonable approach.

By taking significant pressure off the intervertebral disks, the Cervical Decompression Neck Fixer can reduce the pressure within the disks to start a lessening of the bulges and protrusions that may be pressing of pinching on the spinal nerve roots.

Immediate Relief Possible

The Fixer can be used in a standing, sitting, or even in a lying down position. It is placed around the neck with the three bellows open to the front so that there will be no pressure on the throat.

Next, connect the two "hook and loop" closures. After closing the air bulb lock cap, inflate to the desired pressure of distraction to obtain a comfortable stretch for 5 to 10 minutes during first use. The time can be gradually lengthened to 20 to 30 minutes after continual use.

The user should not experience any pain or discomfort whatsoever. In fact, as the air pressure is increased, the user may experience pain relief immediately as the distraction takes place. However, this only occurs in 30% to 40% of cases that experience active chronic pain.

To remove the Fixer after use, unscrew the lock cap on the air bulb to allow the air to escape slowly, and then undo the two "hook and loop" closures. To preserve longer life of the Fixer, do not crush the bellows to force the air out fast.

The Fixer, manufactured in China, sells to patients for $94, and the professional price is $47. It can be used in a chiropractic office as a modality and charged appropriately for each decompression treatment. With proper use, this product should last for years, but because of the prevalence of improper use of air-inflated products, this unit has a 15-calendar-day return period from date of delivery. All units are tested to be in 100% perfect working condition before they are delivered to the buyer.

John W. Fiore, DC, is founder of Bodyline Comfort Systems. Contact him at .